# Summary of IRC Log from October 30, 2011

• Michael Nielsen released a book on open access publishing that month, with a link shared to a Hacker News discussion about open science.

• A user named delinquentme shared progress on LH002, an open source liquid handling machine for biology labs that could be built for under $10,000, compared to commercial machines costing around $60,000, with designs based on Tecan Evo systems.

• The group discussed open source hardware for biology, including a syringe pump design from RepRap that could be used for microfluidics, with only minimal non-3D printed parts required.

• Members debated the state of DIYbio, with some noting that the LA group was doing interesting work on neural tissue culture and directed evolution of extremophiles, while collaborating with Beijing Genomics Institute for sequencing.

• Participants discussed academic publishing economics, noting that Elsevier made $1.3 billion in net profit the previous year, contradicting claims that journal costs merely cover expenses.

• A paper on toilet paper microfluidics was shared, along with resources on mixing in microfluidic systems, demonstrating low-cost approaches to lab-on-chip technology.